DANVILLE, Pa. -- Imagine you’ve just had hip replacement surgery and you’re following through with your post-surgery therapy while wearing a device that monitors your health levels. As your heart rate quickens, “Bing,” you receive a text from your care provider asking what the pain level is in your new joint as you exercise.

Researchers will soon be using these wearable activity devices to collect real-time health data from Geisinger orthopaedic patients. That’s because the Geisinger Orthopaedic Institute has chosen to partner with Universal Research Solutions (known as OBERD) for patient outcomes data collection and multi-center studies.

OBERD is pioneering research into patient data collection from wearable devices. The objective data captured during patient activities will complement the subjective outcomes data provided by patients and from other sources.

“That is accompanied by the vast amount of OBERD-collected information – demographics, procedures, implant data and the question of overall satisfaction – to provide a complete picture of the individual’s care at Geisinger,” said Dr. Ali Hussam, CEO of OBERD. “We may then be able to better understand the factors that influence health outcomes and provide more complete answers to the patient.”

Geisinger will be using OBERD’s clinical suite and customizable education software to initially collect data from orthopaedic patients. That data can be used for research into better approaches to care, support better decision-making, and ultimately deliver better health outcomes.

“We are delighted to be partnering with OBERD,” said Michael Suk (right), M.D., JP MPH, chairman of Geisinger’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “OBERD has been at the forefront of technology for outcomes data-collection for many years, just as Geisinger has been at the forefront of integrating outcomes data into decision-making about patient care. We expect to work closely with the OBERD team to innovate on the next generation of outcomes data-collection.”

OBERD’s real-time scoring and reporting of the collected data will enable immediate evaluation of outcomes during patient visits. The software, with interfaces built around the patient, also allows remote data collection from patients who are unable, or not required, to revisit a Geisinger clinic.

“We believe it will be the new standard for individualized care,” said Dr. Suk.

About Universal Research Solutions (OBERD)
Universal Research Solutions (a.k.a. OBERD) owns, develops, implements and supports the OBERD (Outcomes Based Electronic Research Database) system. The company is headquartered in Columbia, MO, home of the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri Medical School. It was founded in 2009, by Chief Executive Officer Ali Hussam PhD and Chief Scientist Bill Plummer PhD, who have 50 years of combined experience in database design, graphics, programming, software engineering/architecture and interface usability engineering. OBERD has been collecting patient outcomes data in orthopaedics for over 5 years, with over 5 million scored forms, from over 1.25 million patients, in its database. It includes a QCDR, with CMS-approved measures specific to orthopaedics. OBERD is committed to empowering evidence-based medical practice through the optimal collection of clinical and patient-reported outcomes data.

About Geisinger
Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record and the development of innovative care delivery models such as ProvenHealth Navigator® and ProvenCare®. As one of the nation’s largest health service organizations, Geisinger serves more than 3 million residents throughout 45 counties in central, south-central and northeast Pennsylvania, and also in southern New Jersey with the addition of AtlantiCare, a National Malcolm Baldridge Award recipient. The physician-led system is comprised of approximately 30,000 employees, including nearly 1,600 employed physicians, 12 hospital campuses, two research centers and a 510,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $8.9 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. Geisinger has repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or follow the latest Geisinger news and more on TwitterExternal Link and FacebookExternal Link.